May 21st, 2026

Written by Alina, a WRDSB secondary student.

The Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) hosted its third annual Sikh Heritage Day on April 10 at the Education Centre. 

Sikh Heritage Day is part of the board’s ongoing commitment to celebrating the histories, identities and contributions of Sikh communities in Waterloo Region. For Sikh students and families, the day offers space to share culture and language; for others, it is an opportunity to learn, ask questions, and build understanding. The event is designed not only as a celebration, but as a reminder of the resilience and community that have shaped Sikh life in Canada. 

This year’s theme was “Chardi Kala,” a core Sikh principle that speaks to the idea of an ever-rising spirit. At its heart, “Chardi Kala” is about choosing hope and courage, even when life feels difficult. The words themselves come from Chardi, meaning “to rise,” and Kala, meaning “state” or “energy.” Together, they describe a way of living rooted in faith, humility, and inner strength. It reminds us that challenges are a part of life, as is our ability to meet them with grace, stay true to who we are and keep moving forward and thriving through community.  The event kicked off with a keynote from Sharanjeet Kaur, a Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) medical leader and Cameron Heights Collegiate Institute alumna. 

Sharanjeet contrasted the differences between surviving and thriving in a community, grounding her reflections in her experiences as a Sikh woman. She described challenges of helping open TMU’s medical branch to better support Sikh and racialized communities both in education and in service. After becoming a mother, she said she found strength in her community, pushing the theme that thriving often begins with belonging. Attendees learned about the history of oppression and resilience of Sikhs in Canada. They were encouraged to support one another, create community and find their voice in confronting ongoing issues of equity and racisms. After the keynote, a high-energy dance performance led into hands-on workshops. 

In a Gurmekhi session, a phonetic script, students learned how to write their names. A trivia game had people debating over historical and cultural knowledge. Additional stations offered henna art, turban tying, and G9 dance tutorials, a popular Punjabi dance style known for its fast footwork and coordinated group formations.The lunch included pizza alongside spiced crispy potato patties., served with sweet tamarind chutney and samosas.

The day wrapped up with closing remarks from Scott Miller, Director of Education.

This year’s WRDSB Sikh Heritage Day was able to offer something greater than a schedule filled with entertaining performances and workshops. It created a safe space for students to learn and connect with the community. The theme, Chardi Kala, is woven through every part of the event, demonstrating how optimism and collective support continue to build Sikh experiences. 

For WRDSB students, the day was both a celebration of identity and a reminder of the work still needed to build a community where everyone, regardless of background, is able to truly thrive.

#StudentVoice Series

This article is written by a WRDSB student. Student journalists embody WRDSB’s commitment to creating space for students to tell their stories. They are ambassadors for their peers as they share their personal experiences and stories about their schools and communities in their unique voices.